How to treat otitis in children?

Otitis in children is infection. Inflammatory process in otitis media is causedpathogenic bacteria (pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci) that enter the middle ear through the auditory tube. Most often, otitis in children occurs against the background of ARI, and in newborns - when amniotic fluid enters the middle ear.

Symptoms of otitis in children

Recognize otitis in children it is not easy: most often it occurs in a rather tender age, when the child can not really explain what and where it hurts (and sometimes even does not know how to speak).

The most important symptom of otitis is ear pain. The older child himself will complain of pain in his ear. Little children with pain in the ear begin to be capricious, cry and refuse to eat, because when swallowing the pain becomes stronger. The nature of the pain can be different: it can be pressing, shooting or stabbing. The pain can be constant or arise periodically (more often - amplifying by the evening).

Often occurs most often on the background of acute respiratory infections and colds. Therefore, the symptoms of otitis occur at night: the child is in a horizontal position for a long time, the mucus accumulates in the nasopharynx and begins to press on the eardrum, resulting in pain in the ear becomes worse.

Otitis in children is also accompanied by Ear constriction and hearing loss. There may be discharge from the ear. Also, the main symptoms may be accompanied by high fever (38 ° C and above), general weakness, sleep disturbances.

How to treat otitis in children?

Adequate otitis treatment is prescribed by an otolaryngologist, because only he can put the right onediagnosis and assess the severity of the disease. Usually, otitis is treated with antibiotics (children are usually prescribed not injections, but special syrups or tablets). In addition, drugs are prescribed that normalize the flora of the intestine, and antihistamine (antiallergic) drugs. They help to neutralize the side effects of antibiotic treatment. In addition, the doctor will prescribe ear drops and drops for the nose.

There are ways that help relieve otitis symptoms before the arrival of a doctor. If the child has a fever, you can give him an antipyretic. Many mothers do two serious mistakes, trying to help a child with otitis media: make him a warm compress and put him to bed. At a high temperature, a warming compress can only worsen a child's condition, and in a horizontal position the pain can intensify. But if there is no significant temperature increase, dry heat compresses can be very effective.

If the otitis develops against the background of the common cold, drip into the baby's nose vasoconstrictive drops: when the child's nose clears, the pain will be weakened. In the ear, you can drip ear drops (preferably with an anesthetic effect) or boric alcohol. Please note that the temperature of the drops should be the same as the body temperature, so before instillation you need to warm the vial in a container with warm water or just in your hands. After dipping your ear, cover the ear canal with a piece of cotton wool.

If the pus flows from the ear, pushes the alcohol-containing solutions - they will only intensify irritation and pain. Also, when pus is allocated, you can not try to clean the child's ear with a cotton swab - you will only make it worse.

Independently to treat otitis in children is not recommended: parents can only alleviate the symptoms of the disease. The doctor prescribes treatment according to the form andstage of the disease, individual characteristics of the patient. In most cases, a fairly conservative treatment, but with the accumulation of pus, he can prescribe an operation - paracentesis, incision of the tympanic membrane.

Otitis in children is easy to cure, if you recognize the symptoms in time, give the child first aid to relieve his condition, and immediately contact LOR. Care of parents is the guarantee of their children's health.